Seating system for a trampoline

ABSTRACT

A seating system for detachable mounting onto a supporting frame of an elevated exercise structure is disclosed. The seating system includes a rigid frame assembly having a horizontal frame and a vertical member connected together using a mechanical attachment devices. The horizontal frame and the vertical member are reinforced using supporting cross members. A hook portion is attached to the vertical member to engage the rigid frame assembly with the supporting frame of the elevated exercise structure. There is a clamping device provided on a bottom portion of the vertical member securely attach the rigid frame assembly to a supporting leg of the elevated exercise structure. The seating arrangement can be removably attached to the horizontal frame to allow users to sit beside the elevated exercise structure such as a trampoline. The seating means further includes a backrest portion removably attached to the horizontal frame using a spring lock arrangement.

BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENT Technical Field of the Embodiment

The present embodiment relates to seating arrangements for elevated exercise structures such as trampolines. More specifically, the present embodiment relates to a detachable seating means for users performing jumping exercises on a trampoline.

Description of the Related Art

The development in industry and commerce and improved lifestyle forced the people to pay more attention towards exercise. People perform varying levels of physical activities and a variety of sporting to match individual needs. This has led to the development of varying sorts of exercises and fitness equipment. The backyard elevated exercise structures such as trampoline has become more popular recently for body conditioning. The trampoline can train the jumping ability of the users and also can improve the power, balance, and reaction of the users.

Trampolines are already available in various designs and shapes. The trampolines have a jump cloth that is attached to the support frame of the trampoline using springs and kept in a horizontal level to allow users to perform jumping exercises. The springs provides an upward restoring force to the jump cloth when a person jumps on the trampoline. The jump cloth of the trampoline is attached to the supporting frame of the trampoline and kept at a level above the ground or floor level to allow downward movement of the jump cloth thereby providing necessary upward restoring force on the jump cloth. The users can either be trained to perform consecutive jumps on the jump cloth. Since the jump cloth surface of the trampoline is at an elevated position it is inherently unstable, which makes it even difficult for multiple users to perform the jumping exercise together. Sometimes users become bored with the traditional trampoline usage leading to the dangerous and unsafe usage of trampoline by multiple users at the same time. When multiple users use the trampoline at once, the jumping by each users affect the bouncing of other users. Hence no user can get proper balance and bounce as they jump together on the jumping surface of the trampoline.

Sometimes kids and small children use the backyard trampoline for fun by performing the jumping exercises. In order to perform proper jumping exercises on the trampoline, it should be used by a single person at a time. If there is a group of people to perform the jumping exercises on the trampoline, each person has to wait until the person doing the jumping exercise finishes his/her exercise. This is especially true with the case of a home backyard trampoline, where the children have to wait at the ground or on the floor for their turn to perform the jumping exercise. Moreover, when a person finishes his/her jumping exercise session on the trampoline he/she has to come down to take rest and to allow the other person to perform the jumping exercise. Once the second person finishes his/her session, the first person has to climb the ladder attached to the trampoline again, after the break, to continue his/her exercise. This is inconvenient when more than one person perform the jumping exercises on the trampoline.

Various trampoline structures are available in the market, however none of them addresses the above stated issue. The following patents are herein incorporated by reference for their supportive teachings, and include the following:

U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,718 B2 issued to Wayne Rich on Nov. 12, 2002, which discloses a mounting platform for providing access to a trampoline or similar exercise device. The mounting platform removably attaches to the side of the trampoline to provide a horizontal surface from which an individual can move onto or off of the trampoline. An adjustable ladder provides access to the platform and can be folded under the platform, which can be removed from the trampoline or collapsed to a vertical position when not in use. However the above patent doesn't disclose anything about a seating structure for the users of the trampoline.

U.S. Pat. App. No. 20100311545 A1 filed by Jusin Fenn et al. on Jun. 8, 2009 discloses a trampoline having one or more seat structures supported on a surrounding support frame with which a jumping surface is resiliently stretched. Each seat is carried by the surrounding support structure and is secured in plane by attachment to a trampoline leg that supports the jumping surface and the surrounding support frame. The seat structures are attachable to many known trampolines and provide seating outside of the jumping surface of the trampoline so that people can sit on the seats even while other people are jumping on the jumping surface and without obstructing the jumping surface. However the seating structure does not provide a detachable backrest to the user. This my cause the person sitting on the seat to fall out of the seat and getting injured when other the other person is performing the jumping exercise on the trampoline. In addition, the seating structure does not provide a secure storage pocket for allowing the users to store their personal belongings.

Another U.S. Pat. No. 7,766,795 discloses a trampoline system, which includes a circular frame, supported by a plurality of legs. The circular frame is coupled with a rebounding mat through a plurality of spring members and a cylindrical wall made of a resilient net to prevent users from being thrown outside the trampoline when in use. When a user jumps and rebounds from the mat the spring members are stretched by the weight of the user and mat. The spring members have other ends connected to the circular frame, which receives the forces transferred from the spring members. When in use the support structure, including the circular frame and legs, have to bear significant pressure. However the above patent doesn't disclose anything about a seating structure for the users of the trampoline.

Hence, it can be seen that there is a need for a seat arrangement that can be attached to the frame structure of the trampoline to allow the users to take rest during the break periods of exercise. The seat arrangement would be compact and easily mountable and detachable from the trampoline. The needed seat arrangement would provide a secure resting place for the users of the trampoline when other people perform jumping exercises on the trampoline.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a seating means for detachably mounting onto the supporting frame of an elevated exercise structure including a trampoline. The seating system includes a rigid frame assembly providing proper structural support to the seating system. The rigid frame assembly includes a horizontal frame and a vertical member that is joined together using a mechanical attachment device. The horizontal frame welded to a top end of the vertical member forming a cantilever arrangement that transfers the weight on the horizontal frame to the vertical member. The present seating system further includes a hook portion attached to the vertical member to engage the rigid frame assembly with the supporting frame of the elevated exercise structure. The hook portion enables the seating system to be hooked or mounted onto the supporting frame or supporting bar of the elevated exercise structure. The present seating system further includes a clamping device provided on a bottom portion or bottom end of the vertical member to securely attach the rigid frame assembly to the supporting leg of the elevated exercise structure. The rigid frame assembly is mounted on the supporting frame at a perimeter of the elevated exercise structure such as the trampoline and the horizontal frame of the rigid frame assembly positions or extends outwards from the perimeter of the elevated exercise structure.

The present seating system further includes a seating arrangement removably attached to a top surface of the horizontal frame and a backrest portion removably attached to the horizontal frame. The backrest portion is removably attached to the horizontal frame using a spring lock arrangement. The rigid frame assembly of the seating system is reinforced using a number of supporting members. The seating system allows the users to take rest during jumping exercise or allow the users to sit beside the trampoline while waiting in the queue to perform the jumping exercise. In addition, the seating system is attached with storage pockets to allow users to safely store their personal belongings.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements and embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention, thus the drawings are generalized in form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the present seating system detachably mounting onto the supporting frame of an elevated exercise structure, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the present seating system with the detachable seating arrangement and the backrest portion, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed view of the spring lock arrangement connecting the backrest portion and the horizontal frame, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed view of method of attaching the seating system to connect to the horizontal frame using the mechanical attachment devices, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the present seating system detachably mounting onto the supporting frame of an elevated exercise structure such as the trampoline, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED INVENTION

In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and applications of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. However, any single inventive feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or only address one of the problems discussed above. Further, one or more of the problems discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the features described below.

The present disclosure relates to a seating means that can be detachably mounting onto a supporting frame of an elevated exercise structure. The elevated exercise structure mentioned in the present disclosure includes elevated exercise platforms such as, but not limited to, trampolines, high-bounce amusement and exercise apparatus, etc. The elevated exercise structures such as trampolines usually include a jumping surface and a surrounding support frame. In most cases, the jumping surface is attached to the supporting frame using springs, which enable the users of the trampoline to perform the jumping exercise. In some instances, the jumping surface is attached to the supporting frame employing some other mechanical elastic means, which eliminates the need for the use of traditional springs. In all the above types of elevated exercise structures, the supporting frame is kept above the ground surface at a certain level using the supporting legs attached to the supporting frame. The supporting legs are properly attached to the supporting frame to keep the jumping surface in a stable horizontal condition at a desired height above the underlying floor surface. In most of the elevated exercise structures such as the trampolines, the users can reach the jumping surface using a ladder any other climbing system. Most of the elevated exercise structures such as the trampolines are available in different sizes and allows single or multiple users to use the trampolines at any instant. When a single user uses the trampoline for exercise or for fun, he or she has to sit on the trampoline or get down the trampoline to take rest during intervals or to access any of the personal items of the user, such as a smartphone for answering a call, during the exercise. Moreover, when multiple users use the trampoline for exercise, each of the users can perform the exercise, i.e. one user at a time, and other users should wait outside the trampoline for their turn to perform the exercise. In some other instances, multiple users can use the trampoline for performing the jumping exercise together and in such cases, no user can get proper balance and bounce as they jump together on the jumping surface of the trampoline. The present seating means detachably mounted onto the supporting frame of the elevated exercise structure such as the trampoline allows the users to sit outside the jumping surface of the trampoline and wait for their turn while the other user perform the jumping exercise. In addition, the present seating system enable the users to take short breaks during the exercise and sit on the seating means, which is positioned at almost the same level of the jumping surface, positioned outside the jumping surface of the trampoline and use his or her personal electronic devices such as smartphone, which are stored in storage pockets provided with the present seating means. Moreover, the present seating system can be attached to any type of elevated exercise structures having any size and one or more seating systems can be attached to the supporting legs and the supporting frame structure of the trampoline.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the present seating system 100 for detachably mounting onto the supporting frame of an elevated exercise structure, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The seating system 100 includes a rigid frame assembly 102 that provides proper structural support and allows the users to safely use the seating system 100 for taking rest during jumping exercise or sitting while waiting in the queue to perform the jumping exercise. The rigid frame assembly 102 of the seating system 100 includes a horizontal frame 104 and a vertical member 106 which are joined together using a mechanical attachment means. The horizontal frame 104 and the vertical member 106 are manufactured from rigid, durable materials such as, but not limited to, metals, plastics, non-corrosive alloy materials, etc. The vertical member 106 has a pair of ends and a top end of the vertical member 106 is attached to the horizontal frame 104 using the mechanical attachment means, such as, but not limited to, welding, nuts and bolts, screws, rivets and other attaching means. The horizontal frame 104 welded to the top end of the vertical member 106 forms a cantilever arrangement that transfers the weight on the horizontal frame 104 to the vertical member 106 through the contact point of the horizontal frame 104 and at the top end of the vertical member 106. The present seating means 100 further includes a hook portion 108 attached to the vertical member 106 to engage the rigid frame assembly 102 with the supporting frame of the elevated exercise structure. The hook portion 108 attached to the vertical member 106 opens towards the opposite side of that of the placement of horizontal frame 104 to the vertical member 106. The hook portion 108 enables the seating system 100 to be hooked or mounted onto the supporting frame or supporting bar of the elevated exercise structure. The present seating system 100 further includes a clamping means 114 provided on a bottom portion or bottom end of the vertical member 106 to securely attach the rigid frame assembly 102 to the supporting leg of the elevated exercise structure. The proper placement of the present seating system 100 includes the steps of mounting the rigid frame assembly 102 on the supporting frame or supporting bar of the elevated exercise structure, i.e. the trampoline, using the hook portion 108 and then tightening the clamping device 114 provided on the bottom portion of the vertical member 106 to the supporting leg of the elevated exercise structure. The clamping device 114 at the bottom portion of the vertical member 106 is tightened to the supporting leg of the elevated exercise structure using any mechanical attaching device such as, bit not limited to, pins, screws, nuts and bolts, etc. This way the rigid frame assembly 102 is mounted on the supporting frame at a perimeter of the elevated exercise structure such as the trampoline and the horizontal frame 104 of the rigid frame assembly 102 positions or extends outwards from the perimeter of the elevated exercise structure.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the horizontal frame 104 includes a single rigid horizontal member, which is connected to the top end of the vertical member 106 using the mechanical attachment means, such as, but not limited to, welding, nuts and bolts, screws, rivets and other attaching means. However, in some other embodiment, the horizontal frame 104 includes a number of rigid horizontal members connected together using connecting members. The horizontal frame 104 is then attached to the top end of the vertical member 106 using the mechanical attachment device. The present seating system 100 further includes a seating arrangement 110 removably attached to a top surface of the horizontal frame 104 and a backrest portion 112 removably attached to the horizontal frame 104 as shown in FIG. 1. The backrest portion 112 is removably attached to the horizontal frame 104 using a spring lock arrangement 120. The rigid frame assembly 102 of the seating system 100 is reinforced using a number of supporting members 116. The supporting members 116 are arranged in a cross member arrangement and a base portion 118 attached to the vertical member 106 supports the supporting members 116 reinforcing the horizontal frame 104 and the vertical member 106.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the present seating system 100 with the detachable seating arrangement 110 and the backrest portion 112, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The supporting members 116 connect the horizontal frame 104 and the vertical member 106 together using mechanical attachment device including welding, nuts and bolts, screws or other attachment means. The supporting members 116 provide proper mechanical support to the cantilever type attachment of the horizontal frame 104 and the vertical member 106. The seating arrangement 110 includes a comfortable soft cusion portion made from cloth and foam and a rigid bottom portion to connect to the horizontal frame 104 using the mechanical attachment devices such as nuts and bolts, or pins or screws. The rigid bottom portion of the seating arrangement 110 has provisions such as threaded holes properly positioned to connect to the horizontal frame 104 using the mechanical attachment device such as screws. After placing the seating arrangement 110 on the horizontal frame 104, the backrest portion 112 is detachably fixed to another side of the horizontal frame 104 using the spring lock arrangement 120. The backrest portion 112 has a similar comfortable front portion and a rigid back surface, which is configured to connect to the horizontal frame 104 using the spring lock arrangement 120.

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed view of the spring lock arrangement 120 connecting the backrest portion 112 and the horizontal frame 104, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The rigid back surface of the backrest portion 112 is provided with an upward opening hook 122 at a desired location to engage with the spring lock arrangement 120. The rigid back surface of the backrest portion 112 and the horizontal frame 104 first engages using a tongue and groove arrangement 124 as shown in FIG. 3. The rigid back surface of the backrest portion 112 has an extended tongue portion, which is configured to engage with the groove provided on the horizontal frame 104, and ensures easy and proper placement of the backrest portion 112. Once the extended tongue portion of the backrest portion 112 and the groove provided on the horizontal frame 104 engages together, the user can simply lock the backrest portion 112 and the horizontal frame 104 in place using the spring lock arrangement 120. The spring lock arrangement 120 has a top engaging link 126 and a bottom arm 128. The user can first release the bottom arm 128 to engage the top engaging link 126 to the upward opening hook 122 on the rigid back surface of the backrest portion 112 and then can lock the backrest portion 112 in place by pulling the bottom arm downwards. However, some other embodiment of the present seating means 100 employs some other locking methods to detachably engage the backrest portion 112 to the horizontal frame 104. In some instances, the backrest portion 112 can be positioned at any angle, other than vertical to the horizontal frame 104, comfortable to the user using a flexible back surface of the backrest portion 112.

FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed view of method of attaching the seating arrangement 110 to connect to the horizontal frame 104 using the mechanical attachment device, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The threaded holes properly positioned on the rigid bottom portion of the seating arrangement 110 are first aligned with the holes provided on the horizontal frame 104. Once the holes on the rigid bottom portion of the seating arrangement 110 and the horizontal frame 104 are aligned, the mechanical attachment means such as screws can be used to connect the seating arrangement 110 to the horizontal frame 104. In some instances, the backrest portion 112 can be detachably fixed to another side of the horizontal frame 104 before or after fixing the seating arrangement 110 on the horizontal frame 104. The rigid frame assembly 102 is attached to the supporting frame at a perimeter of the elevated exercise structure such as the trampoline and the seating arrangement 110 positions outwards from the perimeter of the trampoline as shown in FIG. 1. In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the seating arrangement 110 is positioned on the horizontal frame 104 at the same level as that of the jumping surface of the elevated exercise structure such as the trampoline. However, in certain embodiment, the height of the seating arrangement 110 on the horizontal frame 104 can be adjusted based on the requirements of the user. In such cases the seating arrangement 110 is attached to the horizontal frame 104 using a telescopic arrangement, which the user can adjust himself/herself easily to change the seating arrangement 110 height.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the present seating system 100 detachably mounting onto the supporting frame of an elevated exercise structure such as the trampoline, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. The seating system 100 is attached to the supporting frame at a perimeter of the elevated exercise structure, i.e. the supporting frame of the trampoline, and positions the seating arrangement 110 outwards from the perimeter of the trampoline as in FIG. 5. Moreover, a desired number of seating systems 100 can be removably mounted on the supporting frame of an elevated exercise structure. Each of the seating systems 100 are secured to the supporting frame and the supporting leg of the trampoline and can be arranged around the trampoline structure to enable the users to take rest while performing the jumping exercise. Further the seating systems 100 also allow the users to sit beside the elevated exercise structure such as the trampoline while waiting for each other's turn to perform the exercise. Moreover, each of the seating systems 100 includes a secure storage means (not shown) attached to the rigid frame assembly to allow the users to securely store a variety of personal belongings such as, but not limited to, smartphones, wearable devices, jewelry etc. The overall assembly of the seating systems 100 is simple and can be performed by a single person without the assistance of experts.

According to an alternate embodiment of the present seating systems 100, multiple seating arrangements 110 can be positioned on a single horizontal frame 104. This is achieved by providing the rigid frame assembly 102 having an extended horizontal frame 104 attached to a single vertical member 106. The extended horizontal frame 104 can be used to place multiple seating arrangements 110 on top of it with an extended backrest portion 112 for each of the user. In some instances, the extended horizontal frame 104 is contoured to have a similar curvature as that of the supporting frame of the trampoline to allow the users to sit around the trampoline. In another embodiment, the rigid frame assembly 102 has a number of vertical members that connects a number of horizontal frames 104 thereby providing individual seats for each user around the trampoline. The vertical members are connected together at a bottom point forming a central vertical member 106 that includes the hook portion 108 to engage with the supporting frame of the trampoline and clamping devices 114 to attach to the supporting leg structure of the trampoline. Each of the horizontal frames 104 is attached with a seating arrangement 110 and backrest portion 112 and also attached with separate storage means such as pockets under the seating arrangement 110 to store personal items of the users.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, different designs of the seating structures can be obtained by simply modifying the present seating means. Further the seating arrangement and backrest portion can be provided as a single unit that can be attached to the rigid frame assembly. Moreover the seating arrangement and the backrest can be provided as a movable unit to allow users to push back the seating arrangement away from the trampoline. Further the seating means can be provided with movable contacts, which allow the seating arrangement and the backrest to be positioned at any height and at any distance in any direction from the trampoline. It is intended that the scope of the present invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims appended hereto. 

We claim:
 1. A seating systems for detachable mounting onto a supporting frame of an elevated exercise structure comprising: a rigid frame assembly having at least one horizontal frame and at least one vertical member; a hook portion attached to the vertical member to engage the rigid frame assembly with the supporting frame of the elevated exercise structure; a clamping means provided on a bottom portion of the vertical member to securely attach the rigid frame assembly to a supporting leg of the elevated exercise structure; a seating arrangement removably attached to the horizontal frame; and a backrest portion removably attached to the horizontal frame; whereby the rigid frame assembly is mounted onto the supporting frame of the elevated exercise structure using the hook portion and secured in position using the clamping means tightened to the supporting leg of the elevated exercise structure using a mechanical attachment devices.
 2. The seating system of claim 1 wherein the seating arrangement is removably attached to the horizontal frame using at least one connecting device including screws, nuts and bolts and mechanical interlocking arrangements.
 3. The seating system of claim 1 wherein the horizontal frame and the vertical member are attached together and reinforced using a plurality of supporting members, wherein the horizontal frame, the vertical member and the supporting members are attached together using a plurality of mechanical attachment means including welding, nuts and bolts, screws and other attachment devices.
 4. The seating system of claim 1 wherein the backrest portion is removably connected to the horizontal frame using a spring lock arrangement.
 5. The seating system of claim 1 wherein the rigid frame assembly is attached to the supporting frame at a perimeter of the elevated exercise structure including a trampoline and positions outwards from the perimeter of the trampoline.
 6. The seating system of claim 5 wherein the clamping means provided at the bottom portion of the vertical member is attached to the supporting leg of the trampoline using a mechanical attachment device including pins, nuts and bolts, screws and other attachment devices.
 7. The seating system of claim 1 enables at least one user to sit beside the elevated exercise structure includes a trampoline.
 8. The seating system of claim 1 further includes a secure storage means attached to the rigid frame assembly to allow the users to securely store a plurality of personal belongings.
 9. The seating system of claim 1 wherein the horizontal frame, the vertical member and the supporting members are made from rigid, durable material including metal, plastic or any other rigid material. 